Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2017.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 11 December 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

No urgent decisions were reported.

The Chair will present certificates to recognise local people who have been nominated by members of the public for their contributions to the community.

The Chair reported that the nominee for a Community Hero award had been unable to attend this meeting of the Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That this item be deferred to a future meeting of the Area Committee to allow the nominee to attend the meeting to receive their award.

To receive any announcements from the Chair about local community events or issues.

The Chair noted with approval the placing of the nativity scene in Bredbury which had been purchased using funding from the Area Committee’s Ward Flexibility Budget.  It was commented that consideration should be given in future years to providing illumination to increase the profile and visibility of the nativity scene.  It was further commented that the glazing on the housing of the nativity had suffered from misting and work should take place to ensure that there were adequate levels of ventilation to prevent a recurrence.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Area Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the cards provided. These are available the meeting.  You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

Members of the public were invited to put questions to the Chair of the Area Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Area Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice.

Three public questions were submitted as follows:-

(a)       Relating to the progress of the planning application for proposed new nursery accommodation at Greave Primary School.

Councillor Christine Corris stated that an application was currently being considered by the Council’s planning department and that further information had been requested from the applicant by the planning officer.

(b)       Relating to the progress of the investigation works into flooding on the University Estate, Woodley.

Councillor Christine Corris stated that the report by the external consultants engaged by the Council was been due in February 2018.  

(c)        Relating to the proposed date for the resurfacing of Peterhouse Gardens, Woodley.

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with the Code of Practice, the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to respond to the questioner in writing.

The local Public Realm Inspector will attend the meeting to provide an update on matters raised at the last committee meetings. Councillors and Members of the public are invited to raise issues affecting local environmental quality.

Robin Boardman (Public Realm Inspector) attended the meeting to report on current issues and to answer questions from Councillors and members of the public in relation to environmental and highways issues within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         A new litter bin had been installed at the shops at the Rocks, Higher Bents Lane, Bredbury; the damaged litter bin at the junction of Thomas Street and Higher Bents Lane, Bredbury was due to be replaced; and two new bins had been sited at the bottom of the footbridge at Woodley Precinct.

·         Gullies on George Lane from Gilbert Bank to Hyde Road had been cleaned and jetted on 4 January 2018; and a number of gullies on High Lane, Woodley which had been reported as being blocked were jetted and were running and additional road sweeps had been requested to remove leaves which had prevented water from reaching the gullies.

·         Damage to the stone tree pits at Romiley Precinct outside the Post Office had been reported.

·         The landlords of properties on Green Lane, Romiley had agreed to cut back vegetation which was overhanging the footway.

·         The Council would be promoting the Great British Spring Clean which was due to take place between 4 and 8 March 2018 and would support any community litter picks taking place in the area.

·         A number of pot holes had been made safe on Werneth Road and Smithy Green, Woodley with permanent repairs pending.

·         United Utilities had undertaken repairs to the footway outside 41-43 Werneth Road, Woodley.

·         Discussions were taking place with Highways England in relation to clearing of waste on the Crookilley Way roundabout and adjoining M60 slip roads.

·         It was commented that part of the carriageway of Heyworth Avenue, Romiley had previously been resurfaced and the remaining section of the road was now in a poor condition.

·         There were a number of pot holes on the eastbound carriageway of Stockport Road West, Bredbury adjacent to the Travellers Call Public House.

RESOLVED – That Robin Boardman be thanked for his attendance.

To receive petitions from members of the public and community groups.

No petitions were submitted.

To consider a joint report of the Head of Culture and Leisure and the Head of Traded and Growth.

The report details a proposed consultation process in relation to a change to opening hours at Chadkirk Chapel to enable the Council to generate more income from weddings and other functions.

The Area Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Richard Timperley on 0161 474 3444 or email: richard.timperley@stockport.gov.uk

Vicky Eyre (Assistant Events Manager, Stockport Council) attended the meeting and submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposed consultation process in relation to a change to opening hours at Chadkirk Chapel to enable the Council to generate more income from weddings and other functions.

It was further reported that since the publication of the agenda, the proposed approach detailed within the report had been amended following consultation with the Friends of Chadkirk Chapel such that it was now proposed to only close the Chapel to the public on those Saturdays on which weddings had been booked.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The promotion material produced by the Events Team was of a high quality.

·         It was commented that work needed to be done to improve the surfacing of the car park at Chadkirk Chapel to ensure that the potential of the Chapel was fully exploited.

·         The Friends of Chadkirk Chapel were thanked for their hard work in ensuring the Chapel and gardens were maintained to a high standard.

RESOLVED – That the revised proposed approach to the change to opening hours at Chadkirk Chapel such that the Chapel would only close to the public on those Saturdays on which weddings had been booked be endorsed.

To consider any applications for Area Flexibility Funding or to receive feedback from organisations who have received funding.

There were no applications to consider.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The following development applications will be considered by the Area Committee:-

Development applications were submitted.

(NOTE: Full details of the decisions including conditions and reasons for granting or refusing planning permission and imposing conditions are given in the schedule of plans. The Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration is authorised to determine conditions and reasons and they are not therefore referred to in committee minutes unless the committee makes a specific decision on a condition or reason. In order to reduce printing costs and preserve natural resources, the schedule of plans is not reproduced within these minutes. A copy of the schedule of plans is available on the council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/planningdecisions. Copies of the schedule of plans, or any part thereof, may be obtained from the Place Directorate upon payment of the Council’s reasonable charges).

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager outlined the procedure approved by the Council for public speaking on planning applications.

Redesign and modernising of existing operation - Phase 1, comprising of installation of new solvent and resin tank farms and associated engineering; installation of upgraded fire protection system; and upgrade of internal site roadways and vehicle access.

The Area Committee is requested to recommend that the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee grants planning permission.

Officer contact: Karyn Clarke 0161 474 3551 or email: karyn.clarke@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 66223 for the redesign and modernising of existing operation, comprising of installation of new solvent and resin tank farms and associated engineering; installation of upgraded fire protection system; and upgrade of internal site roadways and vehicle access at Morrells Woodfinishes Ltd, Wellington Works, Lambeth Grove, Woodley,

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to grant planning permission.

Change of use of land and erection of a bungalow.

The Area Committee is recommended to refuse planning permission.

Officer contact: Karyn Clarke 0161 474 3551 or email: karyn.clarke@stockport.gov.uk

In respect of plan no. 67823 for the change of use of land and erection of a bungalow at Hillside Farm, Werneth Low Road, Romiley,

a member of the public spoke against the application; and

a representative of the applicant spoke in support of the application.

It was then

RESOLVED – That the Planning & Highways Regulation Committee be recommended to undertake a site visit to assess the impact of the proposed development on the openness of the Green Belt.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report summarises recent appeal decisions; lists current planning appeals and dates for local enquiries; informal hearings for planning appeals, and enforcement action within the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee area.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Paul Cassidy on 474 5388 or email: paul.cassidy@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) listing any outstanding or recently determined planning appeals and enforcements within the area represented by the Werneth Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration.

The report details a proposal to grind out 1 tree stump, dig out 1 dead tree and supply and plant a total of 4 trees on Marsden Road, Romiley.

The Area Committee is recommended to give approval to the above proposal at a cost of £560 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward).

Officer contact: Peter Pollard on 0161 474 5637 or email: peter.pollard@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to grind out one tree stump, dig out one dead tree and supply and plant a total of four trees on Marsden Road, Romiley.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to the proposal to grind out 1 tree stump, dig out 1 dead tree and supply and plant a total of 4 trees on Marsden Road, Romiley at a cost of £560 to be funded from the Area Committee’s Delegated Budget (Bredbury Green & Romiley ward allocation).

To consider a report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The report provides an update on progress since the last meeting on decisions taken by the Area Committee and details the current position on area flexibility funding. The report also includes the current position on the highway and traffic management delegated budget.

The Area Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Damian Eaton on 0161 474 3207 or email:  damian.eaton@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Area Committee on progress on decisions taken by the Area Committee since the last meeting and the current position on the Area Flexibility and the Delegated budget.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.